I have to say I totally agree. I completed a diploma in marketing a few years ago and I think the biggest lesson I took away from it was how much our subconscious's are being manipulated into making us desire things we really don't need.

Though it is yet to lead me into a job in marketing, am pretty sure studying the topic has saved me thousands in purchases that I didn't make simply because I was aware of how I was being targeted.

Then again, dishonest marketing and advertising have gone a long way to develop this kind of thinking with things like planned and perceived obsolescence, so perhaps I stand corrected.

Either way, the only way out of such a cage is with the key, and your key is different from anyone else's and your the only one that has it. So set yourself free.

There are plenty of honest marketers and advertisers out there doing great work to actually connect you with the things you really want and need in life, but, just like any other industry, there will always be more underhanded ones, trying to sweep their underhanded tactics under the rug. Buyer beware.

I would only comment to keep an eye out for those companies that actually are of higher quality. I can only speak to computer parts as it's my trade, but I know there's just more quality in certain seemingly identical products. The skill of balancing what "brand" name and what "no name" to buy is key! My guess is it's something like 10/90 in favor of no name though so it shouldn't be hard. Example: Buy Seagate hard drives, they are of higher quality.

Thanks for the great reminder that being able to fit a few really awesome perfect fit sorts of things in a bag and get up and go is way more fun than drowning in my closet trying to decide what slightly misfitted item I'll adorn today.